Marcel van der Watt, Ph.D.
President and CEO
As President & CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Marcel van der Watt (Ph.D.) brings 23 years of expertise in combating the interconnected criminal economies of organized crime, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. He has earned global recognition for his leadership, investigative expertise, and research contributions.
Marcel holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Forensic Investigations from the University of South Africa, and is currently completing a Global C-Suite Executive Program through Wharton Executive Education. His extensive background as a police investigator, hostage and suicide negotiator, and criminal case consultant continues to inform and inspire his work today. Marcel has consulted in and provided expert court testimony in several sex trafficking cases, briefed members of the US Congress on issues related to online criminality, and engaged with both the Presidency and the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus in South Africa’s Parliament on matters related to implicit harms-, myths-, and laws associated with the sex trade.
As a keynote speaker and published author, Marcel has shared his expertise on international stages, training professionals from diverse disciplines across over 30 countries. Marcel’s opinions have been published by The Hill, MSNBC, The Blaze, The Conversation, Mail & Guardian, and the Daily Maverick and have been interviewed or appeared in print, television and radio on more than 300 occasions internationally. His deep commitment to justice is rooted in his personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Married to his best friend Karolien, Marcel finds great joy in seeing others thrive, pursue their dreams, and hone their talents. He is passionate about celebrating and protecting the inherent dignity and value of every individual, inspiring them to live life to its fullest potential.
